Happy Birthday Uncle Raymond

My Uncle Ray was born 86 years ago today, on 9 November, 1924.

  

Uncle Ray was close to his mother Olive Harris, who the family called Mam.  I remember her as a white haired, gentle old lady who loved to play cards... my grandma. Raymond's father and my grandfather was called Amos. Uncle Raymond had two older brothers, Sidney, and John (my dad) and a younger brother Theo.

When he was young, probably in 1936, Uncle Ray spent some time at Corley Open air school. Between 1932- 35 he attended St, Mark’s Junior School, Coventry. From 1935 he attended Wheatley Street Senior Boys’ School, Coventry. From 1937 to 1938 he attended John Gulson Senior Boys’ School, also in Coventry.  In addition Uncle Ray attended a junior evening course in art and another in technical studies. Some of the cartoons and drawings he left behind show that he was a skilled artist.

Uncle Ray joined  the R.A.F. and became a  flight engineer. At the time he was living with his family  at 8 East Parade, Barnoldswick, Lancashire, where the family had moved from Coventry due to the blitz.  He also had a girlfriend -  Phyllis who lived at 7 Lower West Avenue, Barnoldswick

Between January and October 1943 Uncle Ray sent letters to his family and particularly his mother several time a week. He died, aged 19 in a flying accident in Lancashire and is buried in London Road Cemetery, Coventry. We are very lucky to have many of his letters, saved by his family. They provide a portal into another time and show how the every day things in life were just as important then as they are now.

Over the next days, week and months, I will be posting the letters and other information on this sight. Join me on a voyage of discovery about an outstanding young man.

 

                      

 AC.2 HARRIS  2203780         No 3    R.C.

Padgate,

22-1-43    11.30 a.m.                                                Nr. Warrington

Lancs.

Dear Mother,

   I am having an hour and a half wait on Preston Station so have started this letter to you. You will note the address that is provisional on my arrival. It will be two o’clock when I get there now, still, why worry it certainly is not my fault. Do not get worrying about me, I shall be O.K. – when I get there.

Thank you very much for the food, it is coming in very useful, and thank Mrs, Walls for the set, fountain pen and propelling pencil, they are becoming like pals already. Excuse me while I have a gill (milk!) that’s better.

    I must ascertain, when I arrive, whether mail is accepted there, as it is only a temporary station, so do not write, unless I tell you at the end of this letter.

   Well there is no point in asking if all at home are O.K. because it is only four hours back when I saw them.     

 6.0 p.m.

Time flies, I arrived at 2.30 p.m. am going to listen to a broadcast tonight by the BBC Northern Orchestra, it should be good. 

9.00 p.m.

         It was grand in fact. Especially (I did not know until I went) as the orchestra came to the camp and played in the gymnasium. Did you hear about me coughing?

          Please do not write to me until I let you know my new mail address, as I have been advised that I shall not be here long enough. I shall be sending my vests and pants back with my other clothes because we are issued with them. Well I will close now and post this letter, lots of love.

Ray